Boyzone stars 'to carry Gately coffin'

The four surviving members of Boyzone will reportedly carry Stephen Gately's coffin at his funeral on Saturday.

Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy and Mikey Graham, as well as two of Gately's family members, are expected to bring his body to the service at St Laurence O'Toole's Church on Sheriff Street in Dublin.

The singer's husband Andrew Cowles, parents Martin and Margaret and siblings Michelle, Tony, Alan and Mark and will be joined by manager Louis Walsh and other celebrity friends for the funeral, which starts at midday.

"Stephen's husband Andrew and his family have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the public," lawyer Gerald Kean told Sky News.

"This is an extremely difficult time for the family but they are lifted by the fact everyone who ever met Stephen Gately had positive, happy memories.

"He was a unique, beautiful young man."

Thousands of fans are expected to line the streets on Saturday and residents of the the Sheriff Street district have reportedly been cleaning up the area ahead of the ceremony.